TEXAS: ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - The Texas Rangers are already hurting significantly even before the start of a new season.
In a span of three days the week before opening day, the Rangers scratched ace Yu Darvish from that scheduled start because of neck stiffness, and found out they would be without second baseman Jurickson Profar and catcher Geovany Soto for 10 to 12 weeks each because of injuries.
Sure, the Rangers know there are going to be injuries during the season.
''We just didn't expect it to be all at this point,'' general manager Jon Daniels said.
The Rangers, after missing the playoffs last year for the first time in four seasons, already knew they would be missing lefty starters Matt Harrison and Derek Holland to start the season.
At least Harrison, who had a mild setback early in camp after his back issues last season, should return within the first month. Holland could miss at least half the season because of left knee surgery after being tripped by his dog on stairs in his home in January.
The only three position players remaining from the Rangers' last World Series in 2011 also missed games this spring with lesser nagging issues. But shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and designated hitter Mitch Moreland should all be in the lineup Monday against Philadelphia.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in four years and scoring their fewest runs (730) in a full season since 1992, the Rangers' two most significant offseason moves were to improve their offense.
They got durable slugger Prince Fielder from Detroit by trading Ian Kinsler, a move that cleared the way Profar to be an everyday player. Free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was signed to a seven-year deal - the same time left on Fielder's contract - to take over the leadoff spot.
Only Mike Trout (564) and two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera (562) reached base more the past two season than Choo (556) and Fielder (542), who has the longest active streak in the majors playing in 505 consecutive regular-season games - and 809 of 810 the past five years.
''I just want Prince to be Prince,'' said manager Ron Washington, starting his eighth season in Texas. ''I just want him to do what he does, and let everyone else does what they do, and everything will work out.''

NY METS: NEW YORK (AP) - Five straight losing seasons. That's what the New York Mets have produced since moving into Citi Field.
David Wright, for one, is tired of it.
''We need to start going out there showing results,'' the star third baseman said. ''The last couple years we've kind of been hampered by some contracts and payroll issues. It seems like that's behind us. At the same time, we've got those prospects knocking at the door. I think we're in a better place now than we have been the past few years and quite frankly, I think we have a better team.''
Translation: No more waiting for next year. No more selling the future. No more excuses.
It's time to take a step forward - and that means winning.
General manager Sandy Alderson seems to think so, too. After he signed free agents Curtis Granderson, Bartolo Colon and Chris Young this offseason, a report emerged that Alderson told staffers he thinks the Mets can win 90 games (with a payroll under $90 million).
Even hard-core fans found that overly optimistic, especially with ace Matt Harvey expected to miss the entire season following Tommy John surgery. New York posted its second consecutive 74-88 record last year - and that was with Harvey on the mound most of the way.
But there is reason for hope, particularly in Triple-A. Touted young pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero could soon join a promising rotation that includes Colon, Zack Wheeler, Dillon Gee and Jonathon Niese.
''He's got all the traits of the good ones,'' manager Terry Collins said about Syndergaard. ''He's on track to be special.''
The offense could be better with the addition of Granderson, who got a $60 million, four-year deal after an injury-plagued season for the Yankees across town. His left-handed power bat should provide some much-needed protection for Wright.
The multitalented Young, on a one-year contract following a down season in Oakland, appears highly motivated to regain his All-Star form.
''It's been interesting to watch the whole team,'' Granderson said early in spring training. ''There's power here. Chris Young has been amazing.''
The lineup remains flawed and prone to strikeouts, though the roster has improved. Perhaps not enough to push Washington and Atlanta in the NL East just yet, but the Mets expect to take significant strides this season as they anticipate Harvey's return in 2015.
''When I re-signed here, I knew it wasn't an overnight fix. I think I like that part of the challenge of it,'' Wright said. ''I want to be part of the reason why we get this thing turned around and headed in the right direction and ultimately start winning again. I think we have that ability.''

The Texas Rangers are performing far below expectations and have been fighting through an especially difficult slump over the past two-plus weeks, leaving manager Ron Washington to get creative with his starting lineup and pitching rotation.

Nick Tepesch takes the mound after an eight-day layoff as Texas looks to win two of three from the host New York Mets on Sunday.

The Rangers (38-49) won at least 90 games for the fourth straight year in 2013, but they've been languishing with one of the worst records in the AL as this season continues to slip away.

Washington used a different lineup for the 20th consecutive game as Texas ended a 10-game road skid with Saturday's 5-3 victory, and injuries have forced him to use 45 players - the most in the majors and one short of how many participated all of last season.

The Rangers had lost six straight overall, but Robinson Chirinos hit a three-run homer in a four-run first inning and Adrian Beltre hit a solo shot in the third to help end the slide.

"We're supposed to be winning more ballgames right now," Beltre said. "All the injuries and stuff - we still have a pretty good team, and we shouldn't be losing as much as we've been. No excuse. We should be playing better, and that's what we expect."

Washington has juggled his rotation as well recently as the starters posted a 7.26 ERA during the losing streak. Tepesch (3-3, 3.65 ERA) has been pushed back twice in the last week and originally was scheduled to pitch Friday's series opener.

The right-hander's last appearance came June 27, when he gave up three hits in 7 1-3 scoreless innings of a 5-4 win over Minnesota in his best start since being called up in mid-May.

"It hasn't been tough at all," Tepesch told MLB's official website of the layoff. "I've stuck to my program and been preparing myself. The day I pitch may change, but I still don't change the way I prepare."

Tepesch will face a Mets team that has dropped eight of 10 after Saturday's loss that came despite the return of David Wright, who had missed the previous seven games with a sore left shoulder.

Wright went 1 for 4 with a double to extend his hitting streak to 11, while Travis d'Arnaud hit a solo homer in the fourth. The 25-year-old catcher has hit safely in nine of 10 games since being recalled from the minors.

The Mets (38-49) will look to take the series as they hand the ball to Zack Wheeler, who has been inconsistent over his last three starts.

After striking out eight in a three-hitter for his first career shutout in a 1-0 win at Miami on June 19, Wheeler (3-8, 4.25) gave up a career-worst six runs in just two innings of an 8-5 loss to Oakland on June 25.

The right-hander walked five but gave up one run over 6 1-3 innings of New York's 5-3 loss to Atlanta on Monday. He left with a 3-1 lead.

"It happens every once in a while," Wheeler said. "I fell into a little groove the more I went into the game. My command was there a little more. I just felt comfortable."